Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Thursday - March 22, 2018 - 3:01am
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HEADS UP-

THIS IS AN UNUSUALLY WARM, WET STORM AND WE'RE NAVIGATING SOME UNCHARTED WATERS. BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THIS... THE AVALANCHE DANGER WILL BE RISING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

For this morning- a MODERATE avalanche danger exists in upper elevation terrain, particularly in the wind zone, above treeline. Human triggered dry snow avalanches are POSSIBLE on all steep wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass, and particularly those with an easterly component to their aspect.

At mid and lower elevations, the danger for wet avalanches is MODERATE and human triggered slides and wet sluffs are POSSIBLE on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees.

As the day progresses and the storm takes shape- the avalanche danger rises to CONSIDERABLE on all aspects at all elevations. Human triggered avalanches become likely, natural avalanche possible.




special announcement

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current conditions

Under a veil of thickening clouds it's balmy with temperatures hovering in the mid to low 30's. Southerly winds are ramping up, cranking 30-50 mph along the high ridges. Dry powder is in short supply, but is still found on upper elevation, wind sheltered, shady slopes.

Above are 24 hour temperatures and snow depth near Trial Lake along with winds and temperatures from Lofty Lake Peak. More remote Uinta weather stations are found here

A great body of recent trip reports, observations, and snow data here.

recent activity


Chris Brown was in Upper Whitney Basin yesterday and snapped these images of an intentionally triggered storm slab, breaking 18" deep, and failing on facets above a thin rime crust on a steep, north facing slope. More details along with a full list of recent avalanches is found here.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Winds are already ripping and they're forecast to increase throughout the day. There's not much snow available to blow around just yet. However, once the storm kicks in and drifting becomes more widespread, I suspect shallow slabs will quickly grow on the leeward side of upper elevation rdiges. Due to the winds' strength, drifts will also form lower downslope and cross-load around terrain features like chutes and gullies. In any case, today you'll want to look for and avoid fat, rounded pieces of snow, especially if they sound and feel hollow like a drum. By days end wind slabs are gonna be more connected and more sensitive to our additional weight. In addition, they'll pack a punch and will easily boss you around once triggered.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Here's what I know about the persistent weakness issue in our snowpack.

First- every significant storm that's rolled through the region this season has reactivated our dormant weak layers, especially where the pack remains thin and weak.

Second- not every steep slope we ride with these characteristics is gonna avalanche and that gives us a false sense of snow stability.

Third and most important- slopes with these characteristics may be reactive to our additional weight and have the possibility to break deeper and wider than you might expect.

So... a bit to digest, but when I'm uncertain about sketchy avalanche dragons, I simply avoid where they live. Steep, mid and upper elevation terrain facing the north half of the compass are prime suspects as are slopes that already avalanched this season. So here's the exit strategy... if you're looking for soft snow and safe riding, simply tone down your slope angles and avoid terrain with steep slopes hanging above you.

Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

With a marginal overnight refreeze and either very damp snow or rain adding insult to injury throughout the day, I suspect wet avalanches will come to life as the day progresses. If the snow your traveling on is damp and manky or if the bottom is falling out, it's time to get off of and out from under steep slopes or simply call it a day.

weather

Warm, wet, and windy weather is on tap for today. Expect mostly cloudy skies with high temperatures climbing into the upper 40's. West and southwest winds peak later today, gusting into the 80's along the high ridges. It looks like we get rain to about 10,000' before snow levels drop overnight into Friday. Snow totals are hit or miss, but I'm cautiously optimistic and thinking perhaps 8"-12" of snow by midday Friday.

general announcements

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Friday March 23rd, 2018.

If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170

It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.